Virus-Hit Cruise Ship Bound for Canary Islands After Deadly Outbreak

A Dutch cruise liner hit by a deadly hantavirus outbreak is set to arrive off the Canary Islands late Sunday, Spanish health authorities confirmed. The MV Hondius, which has been sailing from Argentina toward Cape Verde, will anchor off the port of Granadilla on Tenerife between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m. local time, said Health Minister Mónica García during a press conference on Saturday.

The World Health Organization has confirmed seven cases of the rodent-borne virus on board, with three fatalities. The ship will remain at anchor in the harbor while epidemiologists and Spanish health officials conduct a thorough assessment of passengers and crew to ensure no one is showing symptoms.

Once cleared, passengers will disembark in stages, coordinated with the arrival of repatriation flights. Hantaviruses are transmitted through contact with rodents and can cause severe conditions, including hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome and hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.

Spanish authorities have stressed that all necessary precautions are being taken to contain the outbreak and protect public health. The MV Hondius is expected to remain in the area until all passengers have been safely transferred.